Bicycle.



v No. 640,680. Patented Jan. 2, I900.

R. A. MERROW.

BICYCLE.

(Application filed Mar. 31, 189B.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets$heet l,

Patented Ian. 2, 1900. R. A. MERROW.

BICYCLE.

(Application filed Mar. 31, 1898) 3 Sheets8heet 2,

(No Model.)

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No. 640,680. Patented Ian. 2, 1900.

R. A. mznnow.

BICYCLE,

' (Application filed max. 31, 1898.) (No Model.) I 3 Sheeis$heet 3.

of the frame, whereby it can be easily and Urirrn noscon ALLEN MERROW,or WlLTON, MAINE.

.BICYCLE.

s'PEcIFIcATIoN forming part of Letters Patent no. 640,680, dated.January 2, 1900.

Application filed March 31, 1898.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LRoscon ALLEN Mnanow, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wilton, in the county of Franklin and State of Maine, haveinvented a new and useful Bicycle, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in frames for safety-bicycles;and the object in view is to provide an improved construction quicklydismembered for storing or transportation and readily reassembled whenrequired for use without necessitating the services of a skilledmechanic or the use of special tools. In this connection it is to benoted that the frame-bars are capable of being lengthened and shortened,so that the size of the machine can be altered to suit the rider.

The invention also has for its object to improve the generalconstruction and character of this class of machines, whereby they aresusceptible of a variety of adjustments and their usefulness increasedand many of the objectionable features urged against machines of thisvariety overcome.

For a full understanding of the merits and advantages of the inventionreference is to be had to the accompanying drawings and the followingdescription.

The improvement is susceptible of various changes in the form,proportion, and the minor details of construction without departing fromthe principle or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and to afull disclosure of the invention an adaptation thereof is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of abicycle of particular construction embodying all the essential featuresof this invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the frame contractedor made smaller and some of the frame-bars in section and the outer halfof the near gearcasing removed. Fig. 3 is a detail view on the line X Xof Fig. 4: looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is anelevation of the upper rear portion of the frame on a larger scale andin section, the latter being taken about on the line Y Y of Fig. 3 andparts being broken away. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the step, showing themeans for con- Serial No. 676j029. (No modeL) necting it to the rearportion of the frame. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the parts shown in Fig.5. Fig. 7 is a detail view in elevation of a side bar of the framebearing the train of gearing by means of which motion is transmittedfrom a crank-axle to the drive-wheel, the dotted lines showing theoutline of the gear easing or housing. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are transversesections on the corresponding lines 8 8, 9 9, and 10 10 of Fig. 7.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

So far as the novel features of the invention are involved the style,design, and variety of machine are immaterial and the adjustableframe-bars may be embodied in any make or type of machine desired. Theseveral framebars-such as the top reach 1, lower reach 2, diagonals 3,and backstays 4-are composed of sections which are relatively adjustableto admit of said bars being lengthened and shortened, so that the sizeof the machine may be changed to adapt it to the rider. These framebarsbeing of like construction a detailed description of one will sufficefor a clear understanding thereof, and like parts will be similarlydesignated. Each frame-bar is composed of a tubular section 5, which isinternally threaded, and end sections 6 and 7, which are exteriorlythreaded to screw into the end portions of the tubular sections 5. Theendv sections 6 and 7 have their outer terminals flattened andtransversely pierced for the passage therethrough of the bolts by meansof which the various parts are connected when brought together in properrelation. One of the end sections, as 6, is shorter than the othersection 7 and when screwed into the section 5 is held fast by means of apin 8, which is passed through openings in coincident relation in thesaid parts. This joint obviates the necessity for welding or brazing thesections 5 and 6. The other section, as 7, is adjustable with referenceto the section 5 and can be screwed into the latter or unscrewedtherefrom, so as to lengthen or shorten the frame-bar as may berequired. It is to be understood that when adjusting the frame-bars theend portions of the section required elevation.

7 are disconnected, thereby admitting of the said sections being turnedin either direction without interference. After the sections 7 have beenadjusted they are prevented from further movement by being connected bya bolt, pin, or like fastening passing through openings in the meetingends thereof. In order that the adjustment of the frame may be quicklyeffected, the upper rear ends of the frame-bars are connected by asingle bolt 9 and their opposite ends have pivotal connection withcorresponding parts of the same, as illustrated, By loosening andremoving the bolt 9 the converging ends of the frame-bars l, 3, and 4are liberated and their sections 7 can be turned to lengthen or shortenthem, and after the required adjustment has been effected the ends ofthe framebars are brought together and overlapped and the bolt 9 placedin position and secured by turning the thumbnut 10 up tightly thereon.The lower rear bar 2 can be adjusted by freeing either end, therebyadmitting of the sections being relatively turned, as will be readilycomprehended. The front ends of the reach-bars l and 2 have pivotalconnection with clips 11, applied to the upper and lower ends,respectively, of the head-tube 12, in which is journaled the stem of thefront fork 13 in any con- Venient way.

The seat-post bracket 1% has its front end cleft to receive the rear endof the upper reach-bar 1, and a vertical opening is formed in its rearend and is internally threaded to receive the correspondingly-iii readedmemberof the seat-post 15,. The rear end of the reachbar 1 is madesquare and abuts against the inner wall of the cleft portion of thebracket, thereby preventing the latter turning upon the bolt 9 when theparts are in operative relation. The seat 16 has adjustable connec tionwith a horizontal member of the seatpost in the ordinary manner, and theseatpost is adjusted vertically by turning it up or down in the threadedopening of the bracket 14. In order to secure the seat in an ad justedposition, the threaded portion of the seatpost is longitudinallygrooved, as shown at 1 7, and the inner end of a binding-screw 18,threaded into the bracket 14, is adapted to enter one of the grooves 17,and thereby prevent turning of the seat-post in either direction afterthe seat has been adjusted to the To move the seat, it is only necessaryto back the binding-screw 18 a sufficieut distance to withdraw its innerend from the path of the threaded portion of the seat-post, when thelatter can be turned until the desired adjustment of the seat is had,when one of the grooves 17 is brought opposite to thebinding-screw andthe latter turned up to cause its inner end to enter the said groove,whereby the seat-post is held from further turning either forward orbackward- The side bars 19 are similarly formed and are longitudin, llyslotted, constituting frames which receive a series of hearings or boxes20, in some of which are jonrnaled the axles of the gear elementsconstituting the train of connections between the drive-wheel and thedriving mechanism. These journal boxes or bearings 20 are of diderentsizes and are interchangeable with reference to position, so as toaccommodate themselves to difierentsized gear elein en ts, according tothe required speed or gearof the machine. Spacing-pieces 21, of felt,rubber, or other desirable material, are interposed between adjacentjournal-boxes to admit of the proper distance between them, beingsecured to suit the distances between the axes of the several gearelements. A set-screw 22 is threaded into a cross-bar 23 at the frontend of the slot of each side bar and is adapted to be turned up so as toproperly adjust the journal-boxes to compensate for wear of the teethbetween the gear elements. The gear-wheel 2a is secured upon the axle 25of the drive-wheel 26 and intermeshes with an idler 27, which in turn.is in meshing relation with a gear-wheel 28, secured upon the crank-axle29. The axles of the respective gear-wheels have their intermediateportions threaded and screwed into the internally-threaded hubs of thesaid gearwheels and keyed thereto when in proper position, and the end.portions of the axles obtain hearings in corresponding j ournal-boXes.The rear portion of each side bar is composed of similar slottedportions or frames placed in parallel relation and bolted or otherwisesecured thereto and are adapted to receive between them the train ofgearing, and each frame or slotted portion is equipped withcorresponding journal-boxes and spacin g-picces 21,which alinetransversely, and by this means the axles obtain bearin gs at each endor upon opposite sides of their respective gear-wheels. Ball -bearingsare interposed between the axles and the journal-boxes, and the latterare composed of two parts, which are bolted or otherwise securedtogether, so as to admit of them being properly positioned and of theball-bearings being let into the ball-races when required.

The upper and lower portions of the jourrial-boxes embrace the oppositesides of cor responding parts of the sidebars or frames 19, therebyretaining the journal-boxes in position and directing them when movedinthe frames. One of the parts of the journalboxes has its middleportion projecting into the slot or space of the frame 19 and theportion surrounding the opening therein through which the axle passes isenlarged, forming a ball-race 31, the balls being held in place by theouter part or plate of the journal-box, which is bolted or secured bysuitable fastenings to the middle portion 30, the latter coining flushwith the outer side of the frame 19, so as to prevent binding thereofbetween the overlapping portions of the parts comprising thejournal-boxes. The cranks 32 are secured in any substantial and con--venient way to the outer projecting ends of the crank-axles 29, and theinner ends of said crank-axles have collars or nuts 33, fitted theretoand held against accidental displacement by binding-screws 34. Theprojecting ends of the drive-wheel axle also have collars or nuts 33fitted thereto and held in place by binding-screws 34.

The step consists of a block of rubber or like material 35 and islocated in the rear of the frame and secured thereto by links 36, thelatter embracing the sides of the block 35 and the sides of the part 19,to which they are connected by the same bolt 37 which secures the lowerends of the backstays to the complementary parts of the side bars 19. Byhaving the step located in the manner set forth lateral projection isobviated and it can be conveniently reached by the rider when mountingthe machine. Both ends of the step are similarly formed, therebyadmitting of its position being reversed when one end is worn. The endportions are beveled, thereby enabling the rider to secure a safefooting when mounting thereon.

The brake-shoe 38 is located at the juncture of the bars 2, 3, and 19,and its active portion is below the plane of the side bars 19. A spring39 normally holds the brake-shoe out of action, and the brake is set bymeans of a hand-lever 40, fulcru med to an end portion of the handle-bar41 and connected by a rod 42, bell-crank 43, rod 44,bell-crank 45, androd 46 with the upper portion of the said brake-shoe. The train ofconnections between the hand-lever and brake-shoe are disposed about asshown, so that when moving the outer end of the hand-lever toward thegrip the brake will be applied.

The train of gearing between the pedalcranks and the drive-wheel may beof any relative proportions, according to the size and speed of themachine, and this gearing is concealed from view and protected by acasing or housing 47, which is composed of similar parts having theiredge portions flanged and adapted to overlap, the complementary partsbeing fitted against opposite sides of the component parts of therespective side bars 19 and secured thereto in such a manner as to admitof their being readily removed when it is required to inspect thegearing, oil and clean the same, or for any purpose desired.

Inasmuch as the frame-bars are bolted together, it is obvious that themachine can be quickly dismembered and packed into a small space fortransporting or storing, and when required for service the parts can bereadily reassembledand operativelyconnected. The size of the frame canbe adjusted when required at short notice by loosening and removing thebolt 9 and moving the adjustable section 7 in or out, according as theframe is to be reduced or enlarged. The adjustment of the frame does notaffect the relation of the train of connections between the drive-wheelsand pedal-cranks, as these parts retain their relative positions at allstages of adjustment of the frame. The gearing can be changed to varythe speed of the machine without requiring the alteration of the size ofthe frame.

Having thus described the invention,- what is claimed, and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is'

1. In a bicycle, a sectional frame extensible vertically and lengthwiseand having the diagonal stay, the rear stays, and the reachbars, eachconsisting of extensible members which are united firmly together byinterlocking joints, a non-extensible rear fork carrying the propellingmechanism to maintain the latter normally in operative relation to thedriving mechanism under all adjustments of the extensible parts of theframe, said rear fork having its front end joined to the diagonal stayand the lower reach-bar and connected at its rear end to the rear stays,and a union between the upper ends of the diagonal and back stays andthe rear end of the upper reach-bar, substantially as described.

2. In a bicycle, an extensible frame adj ustable vertically andlengthwise and comprising the extensible diagonal stay, the extensiblebackstays and the extensible reachbars, each of said parts consisting ofmembers arranged in line with each other and a couplingtube united bythreaded and lock joints with said members, a non-extensible rear forkcarrying the propelling mechanism and united pivotally at one end to thediagonal stay and lower reach-bar, and united pivotally at its other endto the backstays, a head-tube, and clips fast with said head-tube andpivotally attached to the reach-bars, substantially as described.

3. In a bicycle, the adjustable frame comprising the extensible diagonalstay, the extensible backstays, the extensible reach-bars, a seat-postcarrier arranged to meet the diagonal and rear stays and the upperreach-bar, a single fastener to unite the meeting ends of said parts tothe seat-post carrier, a nonextensible rear fork coupled to thebackstays and the lower reach-bar, a propelling mechanism mounted onsaid rear fork and sustained thereby in operative relation to the reardriving-Wheel under all adjustments of the frame, and a head-tubecoupled to the upper and lower reach-bars, substantially as described.

4. In a bicycle, or like machine, a frame composed of bars pivotallyconnected and capable of being lengthened and shortened by beingcomposed of sections having screwthread connection, a single bolt orfastening connecting the converging frame-bars at their upper rear endsand a common pivotal connection at the meeting ends of the lowerreachbar, diagonal and rear fork, substantially in the manner and forthe purpose set forth.

5. In a bicycle or like machine, a frame having upper and lowerextensible reach-bars pivotally connected with the upper and lower endsof the head-tube, respectively, and extensible diagonals and backstayspivotally connected at their upper ends to the rear end K my own I havehereto affixed mysigxmture in of the upper reach-bar and at their lowerands the presence of two Witnesses.

to the opposite ends of the rear fork the disfi- 7 onal being alsopivotally connected a t its lowgr ROSOOE ALLEN MERRO 5 end to the lowerreach-bar and rear fork, sub- Witnesses:

stzmtially as described. CHARLES H. SMART,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as GEORGE WV. LARRABEE.

